Wireless devices with flexible monitors and keyboards

ABSTRACT

A portable device (e.g., a wireless device such as a cell phone) is provided with a flexible keyboard and a flexible display screen. Such flexible components may be stored in the housing of the portable device when not in use. The flexible display screen and flexible keyboard may be expanded from the housing when the flexible components are utilized by a user. 
     Non-flexible display and input components may be provided on the exterior of the portable device such that the device may be used, in some form, while the flexible components are stored. In one embodiment, a portion of the flexible display (or flexible keyboard) may be utilized when the flexible display (or flexible keyboard) is stored in said first housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/030,262, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/261,541, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/924,226, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/228,578, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/171,748, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/324,883, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/208,943, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/603,481 filed on Aug. 20, 2004 and entitled “WirelessDevices With Flexible Monitors and Keyboards,” which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/208,943 also claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/628,475 filed on Nov. 16,2004 and entitled “Location-Based Games and Augmented Reality Systems,”which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved portable devices. More particularly,this invention relates to portable devices with enlarged, and improved,display and input components.

Traditional portable devices are deficient. Even though it is desirousto fabricate portable devices as small as possible, it is also desirousto maximize the size of input components (e.g., keyboards) and outputcomponents (e.g., display components). Traditionally, the size of adevice's input and display components are limited by the dimensions ofthe device's housing. It is therefore desirable for improved portabledevices (e.g., wireless devices) with input and output components thatare larger than the housing of the portable device itself.

Numerous entities have fabricated flexible displays (i.e., displays thatcan bend) and touch-sensitive flexible displays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to include flexible displayscreens in portable devices.

It is also an object of the present invention to include flexible inputcomponents (e.g., keyboards or touch-sensitive flexible display screens)into portable devices.

An improved portable device is provided that includes both a flexibledisplay screen and a flexible keyboard. Such flexible components may be,for example, rolled, folded, or flexed into a portion of the housing ofthe portable device. In this manner, such flexible components may beextendable from, and retract back into, a device's housing. In someembodiments a device's housing includes two or more housings that arecoupled together (e.g., coupled together by a flexible input or outputcomponent). Instead of a flexible keyboard, a touch-sensitive flexibledisplay screen may be provided with a flexible display screen. Astouch-sensitive flexible display screens are more costly, and powerconsuming, than flexible display screens that are not touch sensitive,the use of multiple types of display screens reduces cost and conservespower. Alternatively, a wireless device can be provided with only oneextendable input/component—such as only an extendable keyboard (e.g., aflexible keyboard), a display (e.g., a flexible display, or atouch-sensitive display (e.g., a flexible touch-sensitive display).

Support structures can also be provided that provide structural supportto flexible structures (e.g., flexible displays or keyboards) when thosestructural components are extended (or partially extended).

For head-mounted devices with flexible output devices (e.g., displayscreens), an input glove is provided. Such an input glove allows for awide number of inputs that can equal, and in some cases surpass, thenumber of inputs on a keyboard. In this manner, a user may pull a smalldevice from his/her pocket, extend the display monitor, detach an inputglove from the device, put on the input glove, extend a display screenand mount the device/screen to his/her head, and utilize the devicewhile, for example, walking.

Non-flexible extendable displays and input devices can also be provided.For example, a head mounted device can have a non-flexible display.Thus, a user can support a device on one of his/her ears and extend anon-flexible display over just the eye closest to the hear supportingthe device. A detachable/mateable input device may be separated fromsuch a head mounted device so that a user can hold this input device inhis hand to provide control information to the portable device through awireless, or wire-based communications channel (e.g., Bluetooth,infrared, or radio). Such a detachable/mateable device can includeextendable non-flexible input components.

A number of systems and methods for displaying information to a user ofa portable device is also provided. For example, virtual bifocals areprovided in head-mounted systems such that a user can work in a virtualworld (e.g., check email from an email server or surf the internet on abrowser) while working in an actual world (e.g., while walking to workin the morning). Such a virtual bifocal can also be used to provide twoversions of the same data. For example, if a night-vision camera and/oran infrared camera is provided on a head-mounted device (or remotely).This information can be displayed on all, or a portion of a display(e.g., by using input controls).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description,taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a portable device with a flexible displaycomponent and a flexible input component constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing the interior of a portable deviceconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a flexible input component, and relatedcomponents, constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 are illustrations of portable device housing configurationsconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a portable device in an expandedconfiguration constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of another portable device in an expandedconfiguration constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a portable device in another expandedconfiguration constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a portable device in a partially expandedconfiguration constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a portable device configured as a headsetin an expanded configuration constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an expanding process constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a foldable portable device in an expandedconfiguration constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a glove-based input device constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a device constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a device constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a device constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a display configuration constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a device constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is an illustration of a device constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a network topology constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/400,296 filed on Mar. 25, 2003entitled “Systems and Methods for Locating Cellular Phones and SecurityMeasures for the Same” is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,289 filed on Feb. 24, 2004 andentitled “Maximizing Power Generation in and Distributing Force AmongstPiezoelectric Generators” is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/797,801 filed on Mar. 9, 2004entitled “Systems and Methods for Providing Remote Incoming CallNotification for Cellular Phones” is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/932,536 filed on Sep. 1, 2004entitled “Systems and Methods for Location Based Games and Employment ofthe Same on Location Enabled Devices” is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIG. 1 shows portable device 100. Portable device 100 may be, forexample, any type of wireless or handheld device. Such wireless andhandheld devices may include, for example, wireless telephones (e.g.,CDMA, TDMA, cellular, GSM, or PCS wireless telephones), wirelessPersonal Digital Assistants (PDAs), portable video game systems,portable augmented reality systems, portable virtual reality systems,laptops, and portable media players such as portable audio and videoplayers.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that components of portabledevice 100 may be utilized with non-portable devices. For example,flexible displays and keyboards may be integrated into, and extendablefrom, portions of a car. Thus, a passenger in the back seat can extend aflexible display from the ceiling or the back of a seat when thatpassenger wants to, for example, watch a movie. Similarly flexible inputcomponents, such as keyboards, can extend from the dash. As such, thedash may provide support for the flexible input components.

Portable device 100 may include flexible display 140 and flexiblekeyboard 160 that extend from housing 120. Housing 120 may includememory, processing circuitry, and a power source utilized by flexiblekeyboard 160 and flexible display 140 (and the other components ofportable device 100).

At least a portion of flexible display 140 may be extendible from, andretractable back into, housing 120. Grip 180 may be utilizes to pullflexible display 140 from housing 120. Grip 180 may also be used as astop so when flexible display 140 cannot be retracted past stop 180.Flexible display 140 may be automatically retracted via, for example, aswitch (not shown), or manually retracted (e.g., manually wound over anaxle or manually folded/placed into housing 120).

Display 125 may be included in device 100 as stationary/non-flexibledisplay that is visible from the exterior of housing 120. In thismanner, portable device 100 may be utilized without the need toextend/extract flexible display 140. Alternatively, display 125 may bean aperture in housing 120 such that at least a portion of a retractedflexible display 140 is visible via the aperture. For example, flexibledisplay 140 may be rolled around an axle located in housing 120. In thismanner, flexible display 140 may be configured such that the side facinga portion of housing 120 is displayable even when flexible display 140is housed in housing 120. Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat only a portion of a retracted flexible display may desired to be ONto fill an amount of an aperture in housing 120. In this manner, to savepower, only a portion of flexible display 140 may be operable to beturned ON (or selected to turn ON) when flexible display 140 isretracted into housing 120.

Flexible input 160 may be utilized as, for example, a computerdisplay/monitor. In this manner, a user may, for example, interact withthe various input devices on portable device 100 to change the imagesdisplayed on flexible display 140. Portable device 140 may include anynumber or type of hardware and software. For example, antenna 199 may beincluded such that portable device 100 is provided with a wirelesscommunications capability. In this manner, flexible display screen may,for example, display video from a telephonic video conference or a webbrowser 142. Similarly, portable device 100 may have a computingcapability. In such instances where computing is desired, a user mayutilize computing tools 141. Device 100 may include, for example,software and hardware to play video, play audio, provide video games,wirelessly or non-wirelessly communicate, surf the internet (or anintranet), augment reality, and provide location based services.

At least a portion of flexible input 160 may be extended from, andretracted back into, housing 120. Flexible input 160 may be coupled togrip 180 in order to facilitate, for example, the removal of flexibleinput 160 from housing 160. Grip 180 may be, for example, fabricatedfrom a non-flexible material, such as the material used to fabricatehousing 120.

Stationary inputs 122 may be provided on housing 120 and may be utilizedfrom the external surface of housing 120 when, for example, flexibleinput 160 is retracted into housing 120. Similarly, stationary inputs122 may be utilized in conjunction with an extendable input or outputcomponent. Similar to display 125, input 122 may be an aperture in whichat least a portion of flexible input 160 may be utilized when at least aportion of flexible input 160 resides in housing 120. Persons skilled inthe art will appreciate that a portion of flexible input 160 may residein housing 120 even when flexible input 160 is fully extended. In thismanner, flexible input 160 may be utilized both through an aperturedefined by input 122 and outside of housing 120 simultaneously.

Flexible input 160 may, for example, include keyboard 161. Keyboard 161may be modeled after a standard keyboard. Alternatively, only portionsof a standard keyboard may be provided as flexible input 160. A keyboardis generally a set of manually controls. In this manner, any type ofcontrol may be embodied as flexible keyboard 161. For example, atelephonic keypad (similar to the one illustrated in display 122) oranother keyboard (similar to controls 121) may be embodied as keyboard161.

Controls 121 may be provided as external controls for device 100 or asflexible controls on flexible input 160. Controls 121 may include, forexample, device specific controls. For example, controls 121 may includephone controls such as TALK and CLEAR. Controls 121 may also providedirectional controls and ON/OFF controls. Furthermore, program specificcontrols (which may also be device specific controls) may be included.In this manner, a LOCATE FRIENDS control or an ACTUALITY control may beincluded. For example, if a user desires to play a location-based oraugmented reality game, the ACTUALITY button may be utilized. If a userdesires to locate friend's devices (e.g., additional devices 100),LOCATE FRIENDS control may be utilized.

Flexible display 140 and flexible input 160 may be coupled together. Forexample, flexible display 140 and flexible input 160 may be coupled tothe same grip 180 and or attached via structure 190. Structure 190 maybe, for example, a tape. Alternatively structure 190 may be a polymerglued on at least a portion of a surface of flexible input 160 andflexible display 140. Alternatively, flexible input 160 and flexibledisplay 140 may not be coupled together. For example, flexible input 160and flexible display 140 may extend separately and have separate grips.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that grips only facilitateparticular functions and need not be included in portable device 100.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate also that portable device 100may be provided without a flexible input (or a flexible display).

FIG. 2 shows portable device 200 that includes one or more flexiblecomponents 230 attached to one or more grips 220. Flexible components230 may be extended from housing 210 by pulling grip 220. For example,flexible components 230 may be wound around axle 201 when in aretracted, or partially retracted, position. Grip 220 may be utilized toaid in extending flexible components 230 from housing 210 (e.g., mayprovide a better grip then the flexible components). Grip 220 may also,for example, act as a stop such that 230 can only retract into housing210 to a particular degree.

Axle 201 may be coupled to, for example, a spiral spring grounded tohousing 210 (not shown) such that when flexible components 230 are atleast partially retracted, a retracting force is applied against theextended portion of flexible components 230. In this manner, flexiblecomponents 230 may be provided with an autonomous retractingfunctionality. A mechanical stop (not shown) may be provided such that auser may mechanically put a force against axle 201, or flexiblecomponents 230, to fight the retracting force (while the stop isactivated). In this manner, flexible components 230 may be extended aparticular distance and then stopped, via a mechanical stop. The usermay then let go of device 100 entirely and not worry about flexiblecomponents 230 retracting. Such a stop may be de-activated such thatretracting may occur. Further, axle 201 may be wound manually by, forexample, a lever (not shown).

Grip 220 may alternatively act as supplemental housing. For example,grip 220 may be large enough to house a second axle that flexiblecomponents 230 (or other flexible components) may extend and retractfrom.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that axle 201 need not beincluded in housing 210. Rather a portion of housing 210 may open upsuch that flexible components may be folded or stuffed into housing 210.For example, a housing portion may act as a door that is hinged onhousing 210. Similarly, the aperture in housing 210 that receivescomponents 230 may be enlarged to the size of, for example, grip 220such that grip 220 mates (e.g., snaps) with the portion of the housingdefining the aperture when components 230 are stored in housing 210.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a flexible input component. Particularly,FIG. 3 shows flexible input 300 that may include any number of flexiblecontrols 320 coupled to processor 310. Flexible control 320 may includeconductive layers 325 and 326 separated by non-conductive layers 324 and323. Conductive layers 325 and 326 may be fabricated from a flexibleconductive materials or may be non-flexible. Accordingly, conductivelayers 325 and 326 may form an input control and such input controls canbe spaced such that even if portions of the input controls arenon-flexible, the input component as a whole is flexible.

Furthermore, flexible non-conductive components 324 and 323 may be asingle component such as, for example, a non-conductive washer-shapedcushion. In this manner, non-conductive components 324 and 323 may forma ring such that when, for example, a downward force is applied toconductive layer 325 the ring may compress and conductive layer 325 mayelectrically couple layer 326. In this manner, an electromechanicalswitch may be provided. For example, an electrical signal may beprovided by processor 310 (e.g., power process 311 via node 311) toconductive layer 325 such that when conductive layer 325 electricallycoupled conductive layer 326, processor 310 may sense the providedelectrical signal (e.g., sense process 312 via node 322).

Multiple such electromechanical switches may be provided and coupledtogether by one or more flexible layers 328 and 329 such that a flexiblekeyboard is provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that aflexible keyboard does not necessarily have to include all of thecontrols of a traditional keyboard. Instead, a flexible keyboard can beany type of key-pad that contains any number and any type of inputcontrol. Portions of particular components may be fixed (e.g., glued) toparticular portions of flexible layers 328 and 329 such that theelectromechanical switches remain in the same position (with respect tolayers 328 and 329) when electromechanical switch is in an extended orretracted position. Flexible layers 328 and 329 may be, for example, atransparent polymer.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a flexible input devicemay take multiple forms. For example, conductive layer 326 may beincluded as two separate and isolated layers. When conductive layer 326electrically contacts these two separate and isolated layers, conductivelayer 326 may electrically couple these two separate layers together. Inthis manner, conductive layer 325 may be provided as a relay between thetwo separated portions of layers 326. An electrical signal may beprovided to a particular one of these two separated portions, and sensedby the other separate portion, when the relay is ON such that a manualinput is realized. Processor 310 may associate a particular action to aparticular flexible electromechanical switch (e.g., via software storedin memory or hard-coded into circuitry) such that a variety of controlsmay be provided. For example, electromechanical switch 320 may beassociated to the letter “S.”

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous types offlexible input devices may be provided in accordance with the principlesof the present invention. For example, piezoelectric components can beutilized as a flexible input device. For example, pieces, ofpiezoceramic may each be sandwiched between conductive layers. Eachpiezoceramic (or other touch sensing structure) may be aligned withindicia representative of a particular type of control (e.g., indicia onlayer 320 such as ENTER or CTRL). When a user touches the portion oflayer 320 having indicia on it (e.g., ENTER), the piezoceramic may becompressed or bent (or a electromechanical switch may be activated) suchthat control signals are provided to a processor to perform a functionassociated to the pressed indicia (i.e., an ENTER function may beperformed). A piezoelectric generator may be configured to produce avoltage whenever the piezoelectric is bent or whenever the piezoelectricis compressed.

Air holes (not shown) may also be included in order to aid in theautonomous decompression of a flexible cushion (if utilized) when aforce is not applied compressing the cushion. Such a cushion may have aspring constant sufficient to, for example, decouple conductive layers(e.g., decouple layer 325 from layer 326) as soon as the input controlassociated to the conductive layers is depressed.

FIG. 4 show a variety of possible housings. Particularly, FIG. 4 showshousings 410, 420, 430, and 440.

Housing 410 includes housing portions 411 and 412. One or both ofhousing portion 411 and 412 may include, for example, an axle thatflexible components (or the same flexible component) may be retractableinto. For example, a flexible display may have one end coupled to anaxle in housing 411 and another end coupled to and axle in housing 422.Female and male curvatures may exist between the two devices such thatmore stability is provided to housing 410 when housing 411 and 412 arephysically connected together.

Housing 420 may include housing portions 421 and 422. No substantialmale female connection is provided through the general structure ofhousing 420. In this manner, housing components 421 and 422 may be moreable to, for example, roll more of a flexible component around an axle.

Housing 430 is provided and includes housing portions 431 and 432.Housing 430 may by cylindrical in shape.

Housing 440 is provided and include housing portions 441 and 442. Axles451 and 452 may be provided in portions 441 and 442, respectively suchthat one or more flexible components 453 may be extended from, andretracted back into housing portions 441 and 442, respectively.

FIG. 5 shows a portable device 500 with an expanded flexible interactivestructure 510 (e.g., a flexible display or flexible input). Supportstructure 520 is provided such that flexible structure 510 becomesinflexible. In this manner, structural stability may be providedthroughout housing 501, flexible interactive structure 510 and housing502. For example, flexible interactive structure 510 may be extendedfrom one, or both, housing portions 501 and/or 502 such that a sturdytablet PC is provided. In this manner, the present invention may combinemultiple types of devices into a single ultimate electrical device—apersonal electronic device (PED). In this manner, a PED could be, forexample, a cellular phone when compacted (e.g., flexible components areretracted) and a sturdy, wireless tablet PC when expanded.

FIG. 6 shows device 600 that may include support structures 611 and 621that pivot around axles 612 and 622, respectively. Such axles may belocked, or support structures may be connected and locked together) toincrease the structural stability of the expanded device. Any number ofsuch support structures may be provided on either housing 601 or housing602 to provide support to flexible interactive component 630 (e.g., aflexible display, flexible input, or both).

FIG. 7 shows device 700 that may include support structures 711 and 721that may pivot about structures 712 and 722, respectively, on one ormore housing portions 701 and 702, respectively, to support flexiblecomponents 730. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that device700 is particularly beneficial if only a single housing portion isprovided. For example, suppose both structure 711 and structure 722pivot on housing portion 701. Structures 711 and 722 may be spaced suchthat they do not extend outside of the boundary defined by housingportion 701 when retracted. When structures 711 and 722 are extendedhowever, structural stability may be provided to flexible components730. Flexible components 730 may, for example, fix directly to one ormore structural components. For example, the end of an extended flexiblecomponents 730 may contain a latch for each of structural components 711and 721 so that flexible components 730 may be temporarily attached tostructural components 711 and 721.

FIG. 8 shows device 800 that may be provided with one or more housingportions 801 and 802 and one or more accordion structures 811 and 821permanently affixed at points 812 and 822, respectively.

FIG. 9 shows portable device 900 that may act as a headset as shown inillustration 904. One or more housing portions may be utilized. Forexample housing portions 901 and 902 may be utilized to house flexiblecomponents 903. Such housing portions 901 and 902 may also act as earpieces. A curved support structure may also be provided. For example, acurved support structure may be curved like a portion of a frame of asunglass such that the flexible display curves around (or into) thesupport. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that only a portionof a flexible component may desire a flexible display or a flexibleinput. For example only the portions of flexible component 903 thatwould be in front of one eye may be desired to be a monitor. In suchinstances, the rest of flexible component 903 may be, for example, atransparent polymer.

Head mounting structures may also be provided. For example, if twodevice housings are utilized (e.g., housing 901 and 902) than a headmounting structure may be extendable from both. Such a head mountingstructure of one of the housings may be mateable with the head mountingstructure of the other one of the housings. When mated, the two headmounting structures can be used to form top-of-the-head mountingstructure 911 or back-of-the-head mounting structure 912 or both.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that an entiretop-of-the-head mounting structure or-back-of-the-head mountingstructure may be extendable from just one housing (e.g., housing 901)stored in an area of just one housing, or irremovably attached orpermanently fixed to an area of just one housing.

FIG. 10 shows device 1000 that is foldable (e.g., can be flipped openand closed). In this manner device 1000 may be provided as a wirelessphone or a miniature laptop with enhanced attributes. Device 1000 may beinclude housing portions 1010 and 1020 that may be folded into onesurface area 1001. Hinge 1035 (which may include components such aselectrical circuitry) may be provided to allow housing portions 1010 and1020 to OPEN and CLOSE into surface area 1001 (shown as portions 1030and 1040). Each housing portion may include one or more flexiblecomponents. For example, one housing component may include a flexibledisplay (e.g., housing component 1050 on hinge 1055 may include flexibledisplay 1051). Furthering this example, a different housing component(e.g., housing component 1060 on hinge 1055 may include flexible inputdevice 1061). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that supportstructures may also be provided to provide structural support toflexible components when those flexible components are extended from thehousing portions.

FIG. 11 shows device 1100 that includes housing portions 1101 and 1102coupled to hinge 1103. Flexible component 1110 may be provided withflexible display 1111 that may extend from, and retract into, housing1101. Alternatively, flexible component 1120 may be provided withflexible keyboard 1121 that may extend from, and retract into, housing1102.

Flexible component 1110 and flexible component 1120 may be coupledtogether via flexible component 1130. Alternatively, flexible components1110 and flexible components 1120 may be provided as the same flexiblecomponent. Component/portion 1130 may retract into a hollow portion ofhinge 1103.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that no housing may beprovided in a portable device. For example, a flexible keyboard and aflexible display may be housed in a single flexible component (e.g., asingle flexible component 1110) which may be, for example, one or morepieces of a sturdy, transparent polymer. Such an portable device maythen be flexed in any manner (e.g., rolled like a map) and may beutilized with a variety of external support structures (e.g., a desk) orsupport structures attached to the one or more flexible components(e.g., one or more long piece of hard plastic that may pivot on an endof the one or more flexible components).

Regardless of whether a device can be flipped open or closed, a devicecan contain a non touch-sensitive flexible screen, a touch-sensitiveflexible screen, and or a flexible input device. Combinations of thevarious types of input and flexible components may provide numerousadvantages. For example, a device can include a non touch-sensitiveflexible display screen located above a touch-sensitive flexible displayscreen (or just a touch-sensitive flexible screen may be provided as theflexible and extendable components for the device). Such atouch-sensitive display can display indicia on the display and aprocessor can determine if the area in which the indicia was providedwas touched by a user. Thus, a touch-sensitive display can display avirtual representation of any type of input device and then determine ifa user is touching any of the controls (to then execute functionsassociated to these controls). Combining a touch-sensitive with a nontouch-sensitive flexible display cuts down on production costs and alsoconserves power. At times a processor can display a single image, orinterface, on both the touch and non touch-sensitive displays. Forexample, if a user is desirous of watching a movie, the movie can besplit into two portions and each portion can be displayed on both thetouch sensitive and non touch sensitive displays.

FIG. 12 shows input glove 1200 that may exhibit similar functions to,for example, a standard computer keyboard. Generally, the glove operatesas follows. Electrical contacts may be placed around the glove such thatwhen two electrical contacts are electrically coupled together (e.g., asa result of a particular hand movement), a processor connected to thecontacts executes a function associated to that action. In this manner,one glove action may result in the letter “S” being activated whileanother may result in the letter “U” and yet another may result in theletter “E”. In this manner, a user may spell “SUE” with three simplehand actions. More particularly, the hand actions needed to provide aninput do not have to be difficult (e.g., a hand-sign), but the simpletouching of two or more fingers together or one or more finger to thepalm of the hand. In this manner, a simple, economical input glove maybe provided. Combined with a head-monitor a user may easily perform anyfunction that the user can perform on a keyboard on one or more glovesof the present invention.

Glove 1200 may include any number of contacts 1201-1222. Particularcontacts may be SENSE contacts. Other contacts may be POWER contacts.Moreover, each contact may have both SENSE and POWER portions. Forexample, contact 1201 may be a POWER contact and may provide anelectrical signal that is detectable by, for example contact 1202 thatmay be SENSE contact. In this manner, a processor or other circuitry(not shown) may denote INPUT “2” when contacts 1201 and 1202electrically couple together. Accordingly, a processor or othercircuitry (not shown) may denote INPUT “3” when contacts 1201 and 1203electrically couple together.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that it may not be desirableto have electrical signals flow between contacts of a glove. Othersensing means may therefore be provided. For example, contact 1201 maybe made of a particular material, or given a particular electric fieldsuch that the capacitance of contact 1202 changes when the twoelectrically couple (or are in the vicinity of one another). In thismanner, a processor, or other circuitry, may determine the change in acapacitance, or wait for the capacitance of a contact to fall into aparticular range of capacitances, to determine when an INPUT has beenactivated. Other electrical properties may be sensed in a similarfashion to provide a functional glove. For example, sensing and changingthe impedance of a contact may provide the function of an input glove.

Alternatively, the electromechanical switches/relays described above inconnection with, for example, system 300 of FIG. 3 may be utilized asone or more contacts for a glove. Alternatively, the capacitive, orelectrical property, sensing of glove 1200 may be utilized in system 300of FIG. 3 as a flexible input device (e.g., a flexible keyboard).

Combinations of contacts touching one another may also be utilized asdifferent inputs. For example, combinations 1223-1225 may be provided.Looking at combination 1223, contacts 1215, 1216, and 1217 may provide aparticular input (e.g., INPUT 23) when all three are, for example,electrically coupled together. Particular actions may be associated toparticular INPUTS. In this manner, INPUT 23 may, for example, minimizean application, or toggle between applications.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that glove 1200 may provide alarge number of controls with very simple, easy to learn point-to-pointin-hand contacts. Such point-to-point hand contacts in-hand contacts maybe performed very quickly such that an experienced user may, forexample, achieve a rather high words-per-minute typing average.

Additional inputs may also be provided on glove 1200. For example, asmall finger-controlled joystick or non-flexible touch-screen may beprovided on glove 1200 to provide a mouse-type control. Such a fingerjoystick may be positioned anywhere on glove 1200. One particularlyuseful position would be substantially around the area defined bycontact 1203. Contacts 1204 and 1202 (which may be electromechanicalswitches/relays) may then provide, for example, the functionality ofmouse-buttons. Thus, a person walking could easily scroll through awebpage, and click on links, that are displayed, for example, onportable device 900 of FIG. 9

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that more than one inputglove (e.g., 2) may be utilized by a user to increase the number ofinputs utilized (or the simplicity of remembering a particularassociations between hand-actions and inputs).

FIG. 13 shows head-mounted device 1300 that may include stacked housingportions 1341 and 1342 (with a top-perspective of perspective 1343).

Device 1300 may be a flip-open device that includes housings 1344 and1346 such as a wireless telephone that can be flipped OPEN and CLOSED.Housings 1344 and 1346 can include one or more extendable, andretractable, flexible display screens and/or input devices. For example,housings 134 and 1346 may each house a portion of a common flexibledisplay 1345. One or more hinging structures 1347 may be provided toprovide the flip-open functionality.

Configuration 1350 is provided as an example of how a flip-openhead-mounted display can be provided. Configuration 1350 includeshousings 1351 and 1352 that house a common flexible screen 1360 (e.g.,each housing 1351 and 1352 includes an axle that a portion of flexiblescreen 1360 can be wound around). Hinging structure 1353 may be unmatedwith one of housings 1351 or 1352 such that the flexible display can beextended from one or more housings 1351 or 1352. Persons skilled in theart will appreciate that each housing may include a separate flexiblecomponent or that only one housing may extend, and retract, flexiblecomponents. Hinging structure 1353 may hinge at point 1359 and includemateable member 1353 (e.g., a male member) to mate with housing mateablemember 1355 (e.g., a female member). Mateable members 1353 and 1355 canbe configured to, for example, snap or mechanically lock together. Whenunextended a flip-open head-mounted display, or any type of head-mounteddisplay, can be provided as housings 1310 and 1330 such that it can bemounted on a head as shown in configuration 1305.

FIG. 14 shows wireless telephone 1400 that can be utilized as ahead-mounted computing system. Wireless telephone 1400 may include, forexample, housings 1410 and 1430 that are mateable via mating structures1407 and 1404. Hinging structures 1403 and 1408 may allow for thewireless telephone to provide, for example, the opportunity for a userto flip-open and flip-closed the wireless telephone when the housingsare mated together. As such, a user can minimize the surface area of thedevice by flipping the phone closed and flip the phone open when, forexample, only telephonic features are needed. Persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that a flipped open, but mated, configuration has adecreased surface area compared to a flipped-open, unmated, and flexiblecomponents extended configuration. When a user desires to use flexiblecomponents (e.g., a flexible display screen) the user can unmate thehousings and interact with the flexible components. A touch-sensitivedisplay screen can be provided so a user can use the display as akeyboard. The touch-sensitive feature can be turned off to just providea display screen (e.g., via a manual input such as a button) such thatpower is conserved if the ability to provide a head-mounted device isprovided.

A common flexible component can be housed in housings 1410 and 1430.Alternatively, housing 1410 can house flexible component portion 1422and housing 1430 can house flexible component portion 1421. Portions1421 and 1422 may be separate flexible components fixed together viaguard layer 1442 or may be portions of the same flexible display that isprotected by guard layer 1442. Cutout 1441 may be provided such that,for example, the display better fits against a portion of the body. Forexample, cutout 1441 may be configured to receive a nose. Guard portion1442 may provide protection when the device is flipped open, but mated,as in such a configuration guard 1442 may not be housed in any housingportion (e.g., guard 1442 may always be unprotected). Guard 1442 may beone or more layers of a strong transparent polymer (in which case, guard1442 may extend across both flexible portion 1422 and flexible portion1421. Alternatively, guard 1442 may be a piece of hard material such asa non-flexible plastic. Such a non-flexible portion may provide supportfor display portions 1422 and 1421 when in a head-mounted position suchthat flexible portions 1422 and 1421 do not change locations (withrespect to a head) while a person is in motion (e.g., while walking).

Each of housings 1410 and 1430 may include a number of components thatadd functionality to a head-mounted display screen processing system.For example, one or more housings may include a GPS, or other locatingreceiver, such that location information can be obtained and utilized.If one GPS receiver is placed in each housing (e.g., on either side ofthe head), then the direction that a user is facing can be determined byutilizing the difference in the two locations. Accelerometers, oranother inertial detection system, may be provided in one or more of thehousings to update location information between reception of GPS, orother locating, updates. Tilt sensors may also be provided in one ormore of the housings to determine the angle that a user's head ispointed in. Signals from accelerometers and tilt sensors (or othermovement sensors) can be utilized as a control signal. For example, if auser moves an email using a remote trackball (e.g., trackball 1850 ofFIG. 18 ) to a virtual trashcan, the user may be provided with a visualprompt on a display screen (or an audio prompt via a speaker) thatrequests if the email should be purged. Motion sensors can sense a usernodding up-and-down (e.g., nodding YES) or a user nodding left-to-right(e.g., nodding NO) to determine if the email should be purged or not(e.g., to answer the question posed by the processor).

Each housing may include one or more microphones. If a user is in aphone conference using the telephonic systems of device 1400 while in ahead-mounted position, information received from all, or some, of themicrophones may be utilized to, for example, reduce noise. Thus, a usercan speak relatively far away from the microphone (e.g., can speaknormally, while the microphone is located on the side of the head) andnoise can be filtered out. For example, sound information received fromthe microphone(s) of housing 1410 can be compared to the soundinformation received from the microphone(s) of housing 1430 to determinenot only noise, but also audio feedback from the speakers included indevice 1400. In determining feedback, one skilled in the art willappreciate that both microphones may pick up ambient noise and soundsfrom the environment, but housing 1410 is more susceptible to audiofeedback from a speaker in housing 1410 while housing 1430 is moresusceptible to audio feedback from a speaker in housing 1430. Thus, thedifferences in audio information received can be used to help detectsuch audio feedback and used to manipulate the audio played by thespeakers (or manipulate the audio information as it is processed) toreduce feedback. Each housing 1410 and 1430 can also include independentsignal processing circuitry that does not use information shared by theother housing. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thatadditional housings may be included in device 1430. For example, anadditional processing housing may be provided or a detachable remotecontrol can be provided.

Device 1400 can also include numerous other types of components such asdisplay 1402 and input controls 1431 (e.g., which may be utilized whenthe device is flipped-open but mated). Microphones 1411 and 1406 andspeakers 1448 and 1449 may be included. Antenna 1401 may also beprovided such that device 1400 has a wireless communications ability.

System topology 1450 may be included in device 1400. System topology1450 may include any number of positioning systems 1451, memory 1452,transmitters 1453, receivers 1454, speakers 1455, processors 1465,additional components 1460, ports 1459, inputs 1456, displays 1457, andmicrophones 1456. A power source may also be provided in topology 1465.

FIG. 15 shows head-mounted device 1500 that may be embodied as, forexample, configuration 1510 in which a single flexible display 1512 ispartially housed in housing portions 1511 and 1513. Persons skilled inthe art will appreciate that any type of programs may be run to provideany type of interfaces on a head-mounted display of device 1500 (or, forexample, device 1700 of FIG. 17 ). As such, a user can be provided withany functionality that user could obtain from using a stationarycomputer. For example, a user can browse the internet, check his/heremail, undergo word-processing activities (e.g., editing pictures,writing documents, making spreadsheets, coding webpages), instantmessage friends, communicate with audio (e.g., using Voice Over InternetProtocol or VoIP), or provide any other process that a computer canprovide. Thus, a user can be provided with a wireless telephone (whichmay not even be cellular based, but may communicate using only VoIP)that can be extended (e.g., by rolling out a flexible head-mounteddisplay for when the user is in motion or by forming a tablet PC byproviding structural supports for when a user wants to sit down andperform just computing functions).

A flexible display may not be transparent such that a user cannot seehis/her environment through the display or the flexible display may betransparent such that images can be provided to augment the user'sreality.

Display configuration 1550 may be provided either via hardware orsoftware. Configuration 1550 may include a non-transparent displayportion 1551 and a transparent display portion 1550 (or a non-displaytransparent portion). As such, a user can walk down the street and seehis/her environment and look at a display screen when he/she wants to.Such a non-transparent display screen can be provided via software byfilling up a portion of a display screen with images (e.g., a backgroundwith cursor 1552 and browser 1553). Configuration 1660 is also providedin which virtual objects are placed on a display without a backgroundsuch that a user can interact both in a virtual world and an actualenvironment at the same time. For example, virtual cursor 1561 may beprovided with virtual web browser 1562. Virtual objects may alsoinclude, for example, virtual map indicators (e.g., an arrow pointingtowards where a friend is located that has provided permission for youto locate them), augmented reality game objects (e.g., a video gamecharacter), and any other type of virtual object. Display 1560 may beprovided with a mode in which virtual objects are limited to aparticular portion of a display. Such a mode may be turned ON and OFF bya user such that the user can maximize his/her virtual work area when,for example, that user is sitting as a passenger in a car. By limitingvirtual objects on just a portion of a display (e.g., the portion aboveperimeter 1565), a user may not only be prohibited from moving virtualobjects outside this perimeter, but a virtual bifocal feature may beprovided such that when a user looks up . . . an augmented environmentis provided and when the user looks forward, an actual environment isprovided. A user could then, for example, move the display acrosshis/her nose like bifocals can be moved to also manually toggle betweenthe two perspectives.

FIG. 16 shows display configuration 1600 that may be utilized, forexample, by a head-mounted device. Display configuration 1600 mayinclude a distance-locked virtual object such as virtual object 1612always appears in the same location, at the same distance, from a user.As such, a web browser may be virtually placed, for example, 20 yardsaway from a user in the sky. A processing system may utilize tilt,movement, and location systems to, for example keep the virtual objectin an exact location. Alternatively, information from tilt, movement, anlocation systems, may be utilized for example, to provide a virtualobject at a locked-distance and/or a locked-angle. Thus, a user may beprovided with targeted advertisements for particular locations.Moreover, a user walking down the street can check his or her email andbe provided with a virtual email object locked at a particular distanceand pitch. Thus, if a user needs to look to the ground because hedropped his/her wallet, he/she will not be provided with virtual objectsas he/she will not have the correct pitch (e.g., angle from a reference)to view the pitch-locked and distance-locked virtual object. When theuser looks back up and continues walking, the virtual email object mayalways be at the same distance (which a user can change to maximizeviewing preferences) and at the same pitch. Thus, a user can walk downthe street and turn his/her head slightly right at a particular pitch tosee his email and turn his/her head slightly left at a particular pitch(e.g., the same pitch) to see a web browser. Direction-lock can also beadded such an object can only be looked at when a user is looking in aparticular direction (e.g., North or South). The parameters of all suchlocks (e.g., directional, pitch, and location) can be changed at anytime.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate a number of sensors can beadded to increase the functionality of a head-mounted device. Forexample, a video and/or still picture camera can be provided such thatimages can be taken and, if desired, transmitted wirelessly. Multipletypes of cameras can be utilized. For example, infrared and night visioncameras can be utilized. The information received from these cameras canbe displayed on the display screen. Thus, a non-transparent displayscreen can be utilized but provide a transparent feature by feeding invideo information in, for example, real time of the environment in theuser's field of vision. A camera can also be pointed outside a user'sfield of vision. Thus, a soldier can be provided with image data of theenvironment behind him/her such that the chances of a soldier beingsurprised are decreased. Such cameras can also have zoom features suchthat a soldier can zoom into a particular object (e.g., virtualbinoculars can be provided).

FIG. 17 shows device 1700 that may include portions 1741 and 1742 whichmay be, for example, similar to portions 1710 and 1730, respectively.Portion 1710 includes display 1712 and extension 1711. Extension 1711may be provided, for example, on rails or on a hinge to portion 1710(and display 1712 may be provided on rails, or on a hinge to extension1711). Display 1712 may be non-flexible such that, for example,non-flexible display configurations can be utilized. Persons skilled inthe art will appreciate that a non-flexible display may be a flexibledisplay enclosed in a non-flexible frame. As a result of thenon-flexible attribute, the size of the display can be minimized to onlycover an eye. An image projector (not shown) may be provided on portion1710 to project an image on a portion of display 1712. As such, display1712 may be a non-display screen configured to receive a projectedimage. Portion 1730, extension 1731, and display 1732 may be similar toportion 1710, extension 1711, and display 1712, respectively. Device1700 may have, for example, only one eye-display portion (e.g., onlyportion 1710) or two eye-display portions (e.g., display portion 1710and 1730). Using two eye-display portions, configuration 1705 may beprovided. Any head mounted housing may be shaped to be fitted behind thetop of an ear. A speaker may be extendable from such housing to increasethe magnitude of the sound reaching the ear such that less power can bespent on projecting audio from a speaker. Similarly, a microphone mayextend downwards towards a user's mouth.

Remote control component 1743 may be mateable with portion 1710, 1730 orboth. Similarly remote control component 1743 may be mateable withportion 1741, portion 1742, or both. An input glove may also be providedsuch that a user can control and manipulate virtual objects displayed ona display screen. Remote control 1743 may simple in nature. For example,remote control 1743 may include band 1744 to fit to a portion of auser's body (e.g., to fit around one or more fingers, the back of ahand, or a wrist). One such remote control is remote control 750 thatincludes housing 1753, band 1752, and trackball 1751 (or, for example,an analog joystick). Trackball 1751 may be pressure sensitive such thatpressing down on trackball 1751 is a separate control signal (e.g., amouse click) from a directional control signal. Thus, a user could putremote control around his/her middle finger and control the trackball(or a joystick such as an analog joystick) with his/her thumb. As such,a user can scroll through a webpage while walking down the street,clicking on links by applying pressure to the trackball (or joystick).Additional actions may be provided, for example, by holding down atrackball for at least a period of time (e.g., 1 second) or clicking thetrackball twice within a period of time (e.g., 1 second).

FIG. 18 shows device 1800 that may include mateable housing portion 810and remote control portion 1820. Housing portion 1810 may have anon-flexible eye display. For example, housing 1810 may be head-mounteddevice 1830 that includes housing 1831 (e.g., which may containprocessing circuitry etc), extension 1832, and display 1833. Thecomponents of any head-mounted system may communicate to each otherwirelessly or via wire. For example, remote control 1850 may wirelesscommunicate to housing portion 1810. If two eye displays are provided,these two display devices can communicate with each other and remotecontrol 1850. An additional housing may include primary processingcircuitry and may communicate wirelessly with the two eye display deicesand the remote control. As such, for example, a user can have the mainprocessing circuitry have a cell phone in his pocket while wearing ahead-mounted display and holding a remote control. The user may, forexample, be visually prompted (e.g., remotely notified) that a call isbeing received via a Bluetooth connection. That user may then click aYES virtual object instead of a NO virtual object using remote control1850 to connect the call. The processing device in the user's pocket canuse one type of wireless transmission (e.g., cellular) to obtainincoming call data (e.g., incoming audio), forward this information viaa second type of wireless transmission (e.g., Bluetooth) to thehead-mounted display so the information can be played to a user, andthen receive information from the head-mounted display (e.g., audioinformation) from the second transmission channel and forward thatinformation back through the first transmission channel to the caller.Thus, a user does not have to move any portion of his/her body, otherthan a single finger, to receive and answer a phone call. A user wouldnot have to move his hand or arm.

Remote control 1850 may include a number of input controls such asbuttons 1854 and 1856 in addition to trackball 1852 (e.g., apressure-sensitive trackball). Such controls may be on one or morestructures 1853 and 1855 that extend from primary remote control housing1851. Structures 1852 and 1855 may be, for example, spring loaded, therelease of which is controlled by a button (not shown). Such structuresmay be retractable and may snap back into primary housing 1851. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that a remote control or ahead-mounted display device may include primary computational circuitry.

FIG. 19 shows network topology 1900 that a device of the presentinvention may connect to (e.g., a device having a flexible component ora head-mounted device). Network topology may include base station 1910(e.g., for wireless communications to network 1990), content database1920, mobile device 1930, Internet server 1940, positioning systems1950, remote database 1960, computer 1970 (e.g., a stationary computer),and additional systems 1980. Remote database 1960 may be utilized toremotely store information (e.g., remotely store location informationfor augmented reality games, location-based games, or for locatingfeatures). Any system of topology 1900 may communicate to network 1990via a wireless or wire-based communications link 1999.

It will also be recognized that the invention may take many forms otherthan those disclosed in this specification. Accordingly, it isemphasized that the invention is not limited to the disclosed methods,systems and apparatuses, but is intended to include variations to andmodifications thereof which are within the spirit of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A head-mounted device comprising: a head-mountedpower source; a head-mounted manual input; a head-mounted processor; ahead-mounted first locating device; a top-of-the-head mountingstructure; a behind-the-head mounting structure; a head-mounted displayscreen operable to cover both user eyes such that at least a portion ofthe user environment in front of said head-mounted transparent displayscreen is operable to be perceived through said head-mounted displayscreen, wherein a first virtual object is operable to be displayed onsaid head-mounted display and controlled with manual input and a secondvirtual object is operable to be displayed on said head mounted displayand controlled autonomously by said processor; and a head-mountedcamera, wherein information from said head-mounted camera is operable tobe displayed on said head-mounted display.
 2. The head-mounted device ofclaim 1 further comprising a head-mounted sound output.
 3. Thehead-mounted device of claim 1, further comprising a head-mountedaccelerometer.
 4. The head-mounted device of claim 1, further comprisinga head-mounted movement sensor.
 5. The head-mounted device of claim 1,wherein said head-mounted display screen is non-flexible.
 6. Thehead-mounted device of claim 1, wherein said first virtual object is aweb browser.
 7. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein said secondvirtual object is associated with a map.
 8. The head-mounted device ofclaim 1, wherein said first virtual object is a virtual email object. 9.The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein said first virtual object isa distance-locked virtual object.
 10. The head-mounted device of claim1, wherein a location-associated advertisement is displayed on saidhead-mounted display.
 11. The head-mounted device of claim 1, furthercomprising a second head-mounted processor.
 12. The head-mounted deviceof claim 1, wherein said second virtual object is a virtual mapindicator comprising an arrow pointing toward a location.
 13. Thehead-mounted device of claim 1, further comprising a head-mounted soundinput.
 14. The head-mounted device of claim 1, further comprising ahead-mounted wireless communications antenna.
 15. The head-mounteddevice of claim 1, further comprising a head-mounted wirelesscommunications antenna, wherein said first virtual object is a anaugmented reality game object.
 16. The head-mounted device of claim 1,wherein said first virtual object is a an augmented reality game object.17. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein said first virtualobject is a virtual cursor.
 18. The head-mounted device of claim 1,wherein said first virtual object is a first virtual game character andsaid second virtual object is a second virtual game character.
 19. Thehead-mounted device of claim 1, further comprising a third virtualobject that is operable to be controlled with manual input, wherein saidfirst virtual object is a web browser and said third virtual object is acursor.
 20. The head-mounted device of claim 1, further comprising ahead-mounted wireless communications antenna and a head-mounted sourceof light.